Frozen confection containing emulsifier-coated stabilizer

ABSTRACT

1. IN THE PRODUCTION OF A FROZEN CONFECTION, CONTAINING BUTTER-FAT, MILK FOLIDS NON-FAT, SUGAR SOLIDS, STABILIZER, EMULASIFIER AND WATER, IMPROVING THE SMOOTHNESS, TEXTURE, BODY AND STORAGE STABILITY THEREOF WITHOUT CORRESPONDINGLY INCREASING THE VISCOSITY OF THE LIQUID MIX PREDECESSOR OF SAID CONFECTION COMPRISING: (A) COATING STABILIZING GUM SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF FUAR GUM, LOCUST BEAN GUM, SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE AND MIXTURES THEREOF WITH A MIXTURE OF ESSENTIALLY FULLY SATURATED MONOGLYCERIDES AND SORBITAN ESTER EMULSIFER, SAID SORBITANT ESTER EMULSIFIER, SAID BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OR POLYOXYETHYLENE (20) SORBITANT TRISERATE AND POLYOXYETHYLENE (20) SORBITANT MONOOLEATE AND MIXTURES THEREOF, THE RATIO OF MONOGLYCERIDES TO SORBITAN ESTER EMULSIFIER BEING BETWEEN ABOUT 10 TO 1 AND 1 TO 1 BY WEIGHT, THE MIXTURE BEING COATED ON THE GUM IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO BETWEEN ABOUT 15% TO 50% BY WEIGHT OF THE GUM, AND (B) ADDING THE COATED GUM TO THE LIQUID MIX IN AN AMOUNT EFFECTIVE TO PRODUCE SAID IMPROVEMENTS.

United States Patent 3,845,224 FROZEN CONFECTION CONTAINING EMULSIFIER-COATED STABILIZER John R. Moneymaker, Overland Park, and Maurice C. Meyer, Kansas City, Kans., assignors to Top-Scot Products, Inc., Kansas City, Kans.

No Drawing. Continuation of abandoned application Ser. No. 743,008, July 8, 1968. This application May 15, 1972, Ser. No. 253,175

Int. Cl. A23g 5/00 US. Cl. 426164 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to the manufacture of frozen emulsion confections and, more particularly, to stabilizer systems for producing such confections of improved quality with rapidity and efiiciency.

This application is a continuation of application S.N. 743,008 filed July 8, 1968 now abandoned entitled Frozen Confection Stabilizer Systems.

Commercially processed frozen confections such as soft serve ice milk, hard ice milk and ice cream generally consist of lacteal, homogenized, oil-in-water emulsions which include butterfat, non-fat milk solids, sugars, flavoring material, an emulsifier system, and a stabilizer, system. The emulsifier system serves to stabilize the emulsion before freezing, improve whipping ability, shorten the time required to introduce the desired amount of air, and produce a smoother, drier texture in the finished product. The principal function of the emulsifier system in accomplishing the above involves agglomeration control over the dispersed fat globules in the emulsion. Emulsifiers in common commercial use for these products include mono and diglycerides, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate, and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate.

Stabilizer systems are used to improve smoothness, texture, body and storage stability. Stabilizers function primarily to inhibit the growth of ice crystals at make up and under conditions of heat shock, that is, a partial warming of the frozen product followed by a return to more normal storage temperatures which tends to produce a gritty texture. Common commercial stabilizers for frozen confections include sodium carboxymethylcellulose, Irish moss, guar gum and locust bean gums.

In practice, the viscosity of frozen confection liquid mix is known to be related to the level of stabilizer used, that is, increased levels generally result in increased mix viscosity. A thick or high viscosity mix has thus become an expected characteristic for a superior frozen product. However, high viscosity mixes are not conducive to rapid, efiicient handling, are difiicult to make up, tend to burn on (stick to a hot surface forming a crust with modern high temperature, short-time pasteurization methods) and are difiicult to cool effectively prior to freezing. It has, therefore, been necessary to limit the level of stabilizers employed so that efiicient handling or through put may be achieved. A compromise has developed whereby sta- "ice bilizer usage is limited below the optimum product improvement level by production considerations and it is apparent that any practice which results in enhanced stabilizer function without excessively increasing mix viscosity is highly desirable in facilitating the preparation of high quality frozen confections.

In accordance with this invention, it has been found that certain ester emulsifier combinations processed to provide a homogeneous coating on the particles of certain stabilizers used in a frozen confection mix produces enhanced stabilizer function without undesirable increases in mix viscosity. An additional advantage of this invention arises from the fact that the agents used in treating the stabilizers are themselves active emulsifier ingredients in the mix, providing a total, synergistic, additive system for the efficient production of high quality frozen confections.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a frozen confection stabilizer system which produces improved texture, body, extended storage stability and resistance to heat shock in frozen confections without also producing undesirably high viscosity in the liquid mix predecessor; to provide a synergistic additive system for manufacturing frozen confections which includes both stabilizers and emulsifiers; and to provide such an additive composition and method which are well adapted for continuous commercial manufacturing processes.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description wherein is set forth by way of example certain embodiments of this invention.

The emulsifier combinations used in the practice of this invention comprise essentially fully saturated monoglycerides, both the molecularly distilled type and reaction mixtures of mono, di and triglyceride, together with polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate and/ or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate. The distilled saturated monoglycerides are preferred due to the higher concentration of the more functional alpha ester of glycerol.

Stabilizing gums which have been found responsive to treatment in accordance with this invention are: guar gum, locust bean gum, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.

It has heretofore been known in the frozen confection art that carboxymethylcellulose will go into solution more rapidly when the gum is coated with a mono or diglyceride of a higher fatty acid or a mixed diglyceride of a higher fatty acid and an aromatic carboxylic acid (see US. Pat. No. 2,445,226). To applicants knowledge, however, no mix or final product improvement has been noted over the use of uncoated carboxymethylcellulose.

Functional coating mixtures of the emulsifier, in accordance with this invention, may vary from about 15% by weight to about 50% of the stabilizer depending upon the granulation and type of gum to be treated. Generally a level of 30% by weight of emulsifier to stabilizer has been found to be preferred.

Workable ratios of monoglyceride to sorbitan esters vary with the specific products employed. For example, when using only polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate, treatment can be achieved with combinations containing from about ten parts low iodine value monoglyceride for each part of sorbitan ester, to about two parts monoglyceride ester for each part sorbitan ester. Generally, best results are achieved with a mixture of 3.5 parts distilled saturated monoglyceride having an iodine value of less than 5, and one part polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate. When polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan tristearate, which is a paste at room temperature, is used, optimum treatment generally results from a combination of two parts saturated monoglyceride for each part of the sorbitan ester, however, the ratio may be as low as one to one.

The lipid materials are rendered homogeneous prior to use preferably by melting together the total lipid mix by heating to a temperature slightly in excess of the hard monoglyceride melting point to assure uniformity of the mixture. It is noted that Irish moss, also termed carrageen, is normally used at a low level to stabilize frozen confection mix against a physical separation with storage, called whey off. The treatment of gums in the manner of this invention has been found to inhibit the intended carrageen technical effect and, therefore, carrageen is introduced into the total system separately.

The examples below illustrate the practice of this invention.

EXAMPLE I Myverol 1800, a distilled fully saturated monoglyceride, marketed by Distillation Products Industries, having 9 O. 5 percent alpha monoester and Tween 80, a polyoxyethylene (20) soribtan monooleate marketed by Atlas Chemical Company, were melted together to a temperature of 72 C. with constant agitation in a double arm mixer. Following five minutes mixing after all the gum was introduced, a soft aerated dough-like mass resulted. Heating was discontinued and the product was allowed to cool, with constant mixing, to 375 C. Carrageen was then added to the homogeneous powdered coated gum. The total was sifted and found to contain no particles larger than about 420 microns. The finished stabilizer-emulsifier product was coded 1-A and contained the following ratio of ingredients:

Ingredients Parts by weight Myverol 1800 22 Tween 80 6 Locust Bean Gum 64 Carrageen 8 Using the above method, two additional preparations were made up using the identical ingredients but coating the gum with only one of the two lipids. Locust bean gum coated with mono only was cooled 1-B and the gum treated with Tween 80 only was cooled l-C.

Comparative evaluation of these products was carried out with the following typical ice cream formula. In all test mixes the total level of monoglyceride, Tween 80, and gum was the same.

Ingredients Parts by weight Butterfat 10.23 Milk solids non-fat 12.52 Sugar solids 16.00 Test additive 0.20 Moisture Balance to total 100 Following make up, the test mixes were vat pasteurized at 160 F. for 30 minutes, homogenized at 2500 p.s.i., and cooled over a cold water surface type cooler to 40 F. Viscosity of the fresh mix was recorded with a model RVF Brookfield Viscometer equipped with a No. 1 spindle at 20 RPM. Following storage at 37 F. for 24 hours, viscosity was again measured and recorded. A model 50- B, S-quart Electro Freezer was used with draw at 21 F. Overrun and dryness were evaluated at draw.

The freshly frozen mix was judged for dryness by rating 1 for very dry, 2 for a state normally considered satisfactory, and 3 for definitely wet in appearance. The ice cream was packed in one-pint containers and hardened at F. for 24 hours. After storage of 1, 2, and 14 days, samples were rated subjectively and coded by a panel of experts as to relative body and texture.

Results follow:

Mix viscosity The three mixes did not vary significantly in viscosity or overrun. However, product l-A, resulting from the practice of this invention, showed significant improvement in dryness at the freezer and superior quality factors associated with high levels of gum usuage. The quality rating evaluations after various storage periods all resulted in the same relative ranking of the samples but it was noted that the superiority of ice cream made with the 1- A mix became more obvious with increased storage time. Thus it was demonstrated that pre-treatment of locust bean gum with the combination lipid resulted in material improvements.

EXAMPLE II The make up method and evaluation as described in Example I was repeated for a second series of tests with the following variations in formulation:

2-D Tween 65, Atlas Chemical Co., (Polyoxyethylene (20) soribtan tristearate) replaced Tween 80.

2E Monoglyceride was added directly and the gum was treated with 6% Tween 65 only.

2F Atmos 150, Atlas Chemical Co., saturated monoglyceride reaction product containing 55% alpha ester replaced Myverol 1800.

2G Locust bean gum treated with Atmos only, Tween 80 being added to the mix at pasteurization.

The results were as follows:

TABLE II Mix viscosity Over- Dry- Relative Fresh 24 hours ru ness quality Bra-treatment variable (eps.) (cps.) percent rating rating 200 72 1 First. 188 204 73 2 Third. 184 208 71 1. 5 Second. 218 65 2 Fourth.

The two agents of the present invention, 2-D and 2-F produced significantly improved dryness, body and texture. The improved quality of 2-D and 2-F ice cream became more obvious with storage.

EXAMPLE III The make up and evaluation detailed in Examples I and II were again employed but with substitution of Super Col G, General Mills, guar gum for locust gum in each composition. The results of this series follow in Tables III-A and III-B.

TABLE III A Mix viscosity Over- Dry- Relative Fresh 24 hours run, ness quality Pre-treatment variable (cps) (cps) percent rating rating 168 225 75 1 First. 170 232 70 2 Second. 160 220 73 2 Third.

As with locust gum, the combination agent treatment resulted in significantly improved results compared to treatment with either lipid alone, and quality improvement was shown as not associated with higher mix viscosity.

TABLE III B Mix viscosity Over- Dry- Relative Fresh 24 hours run, ness quality Pris-treatment variable (cps.) (cps) percent rating rating 172 245 73 1 First. 182 240 74 2 Third. 172 248 71 1 Second. 3-G 184 256 70 2 Fourth.

Results are very similar to those shown in Example II with the combination pre-treatment yielding superior results.

EXAMPLE IV A further demonstration was carried out using one lot of 7HF, Hercules Powder Co., sodium carboxymethylcellulose gum '(CMC) and the preparation and test method described in Example I. When only one lipid was used for treatment, the correct level of the second emulsifier was introduced into the ice cream mix prior to pasteurization. The following test series was prepared.

Preparation code: Identification 4-A No gum treatment 4B CMC treated with Myverol 1800 only 4-C CMC treated with Tween 80 only 4-D CMC treated with Myverol 1800 and Tween 80 Results are as follows:

TABLE IV Mix viscosity Over- Dry- Relative Fresh 24hours run, ness quality Pro-treatment variables (cps.) (cps.) percent rating rating 312 362 50 2 Fourth. 280 336 55 1.5 Second. 318 368 56 2 Third. 315 365 54 1 First.

Pretreatment of CMC with Tween only had little effect on the quality of the finished ice cream. The gum treated with monoglyceride only indicated some improvement but was clearly inferior to the gum pre-treated with the combination as described. As shown in previous examples, the improvements in body and texture normally associated with stabilizer gum usuage were significantly improved without a corresponding increase in mix viscosity.

EXAMPLE V The materials, methods, and evaluation procedures detailed in Example I were used to facilitate the comparison of treated and untreated additives using a combination of gums. The additive formulation in this case was as fol- The coated preparation was coded 5-A and the control 5-B. Both preparations were used in the afore described ice cream formulation at 0.2%. Results of evaluation are recorded in Table V.

TABLE V Mix viscosity Over- Dry- Relative Fresh 24hours run, ness quality Variable (cps.) (cps.) percent rating rating 5A-treatcd 162 210 65 1 First. 5-B-untreated 162 200 64 2 Second.

Quality improvement associated with pre-treatment of the combination gum system was quite clear.

EXAMPLE VI Using the preparation method and evaluation procedures detailed in Example I. gum treatments varying in ratio of monoglyceride to Tween 80 and treatment level were prepared and evaluated together with untreated preparations of the same formulation.

The additive formulations were as follows:

Percent Preparation code 6A 6B 6C GD GE Usage level and results of comparison of these various pretreated preparations with the control series are recorded in Table VI. In each case the relative quality of the finished confection produced with the control and pretreated sample was compared directly. All ingredients used were from one production lot.

TABLE VI Mix viscosity Over- Relative Test Percent Fresh 24 hours rim, Dryness quality additive used (cps.) (cps.) percent rating rating 0. 2 178 214 60 1. 5 First. 0.2 182 232 67 2.0 Second 0. 2 104 218 71 1. 0 First. 0. 2 112 206 73 1. 5 Second 0. 2 114 190 62 1. 5 First. 0. 2 111 187 65 1. 5 Second 0.15 70 82 67 1. 5 First. 0. 15 66 81 68 2. 0 Second 0.2 140 73 1. 0 First. C0ntr0l 0. 2 105 76 1. 0 Second.

These data demonstrate that the ice cream made with the pretreated additive was consistently superior to the control in body, texture, and smoothness throughout the test period without significant viscosity variations.

EXAMPLE VII A typical formula for soft serve ice milk was used to compare pre-treated and control additives according to this invention.

Formula: Parts by weight 'Butterfat 4.46 Milk Solids Non-Fat 13.08 Sugar Solids 13.00 Test Additive 0.38 Moisture 'Balance to total 100 The additive formulation used was as follows. Materials used in preparation of both additives were from one lot.

Parts by weight Monoglyceride 22.0 Tween 80 6.0 Locust gum 39.0 Guar gum 25.0 Carrageen 8.0

TABLE VII Mix viscosity Over- Dry- Relative Fresh 24hours run, ness quality Additive (cps.) (cps.) percent rating rating Pre-treated 300 369 55 1 First. Control 310 367 52 2 Second.

Improvements in the finished soft serve product made with the coated gum preparation were outstanding. Dryness was improved and smoothness, body, and stability were notably superior to the product resulting from addition of the same ingredients added in the usual manner, and yet there was no substantial variation in mix viscosities.

7 EXAMPLE VIII The preparations used in Example VII wese evaluated again using an ice milk formulation.

Formula: Parts by weight Butterfat 4.23 Milk solids non-fat 12.99 Sugar solids 17.00 Test additive 0.20

Moisture Balance to a total 100 Table VIII shows the results of this evaluation.

TABLE VIII Mix viscosity Over- Dry- Relative Fresh 24hours run, ness quality Variable (cps) (cps.) percent rating rating Pres-treated--. 258 336 63 1 First. Control 255 333 65 2 Second.

Again, even though mix viscosity did not vary to a significant degree, the resultant ice milk was consistently superior in body, texture, smoothness and storage stability. As with ice cream, the variation in relative quality be came greater with longer storage life and heat shock.

EXAMPLE IX To further demonstrate improvements associated with treating gums according to this invention, a series of total additives were prepared for comparison with preparation 5-A treated and 5-B untreated control used in Example V. All ingredients used in the additives and ice cream mix were from one lot. Emulsifier level was held constant and the amount of combination gum increased. The results of this test, together with the specific identification of the additive variable included in the mix, are recorded in Table IX.

These data show that the improved technical efiect associated with pre-treatment of gums according to this invention may be achieved with untreated gum by introduction of close to percent added material in the mix. This addition, however, does significantly alter the mix viscosity. The use of percent additional gums was rated poor due to over-stabilization.

Although certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not to be limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims:

What is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. In the production of a frozen confection, containing butter-fat, milk solids non-fat, sugar solids, stabilizer, emulsifier and water, improving the smoothness, texture, body and storage stability thereof without correspondingly increasing the viscosity of the liquid mix predecessor of said confection comprising:

(a) coating stabilizing gum selected from the group consisting of guar gum, locust bean gum, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and mixtures thereof with a mixture of essentially fully saturated monoglycerides and sorbitan ester emulsifier, said sorbitan ester emulsifier being selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristerate and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate and mixtures thereof, the ratio of monoglycerides to sorbitan ester emulsifier being between about 10 to 1 and 1 to 1 by weight, the mixture being coated on the gum in an amount equal to between about 15% to 50% by weight of the gum, and

(b) adding the coated gum to the liquid mix in an amount effective to produce said improvements.

2. The method as set forth in Claim 1 wherein:

(a) said coated gum is added to the mix in an amount equal to about 0.2% by weight.

3. The method as set forth in Claim 1 wherein:

(a) said coated gum is added to the mix in a range of about 0.15% to about 0.2% by weight.

4. A liquid frozen-confection mix comprising,

(a) butterfat, milk solids non-fate, sugar solids, stabilizer, emulsifier and water,

(b) said stabilizer being selected from the group consisting of guar gum, locust bean gum, sodium car- 'boxymethylcellulose and mixtures thereof,

(c) said emulsifier being coated on said stabilizer and consisting of essentially fully saturated monoglycerides together with a member of the group consisting of polyoxyethylene 20) sorbitan tristearate and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate and mixtures thereof,

(d) said emulsifier being present on said stabilizer in an amount equal to between about 15% to 50% by weight of said stabilizer,

(e) the ratio of monoglycerides to sorbitan ester in said emulsifier being between about 10 to 1 and l to 1 by weight,

(f) said coated stabilizer being present in an amount effective to improve the smoothness, texture, body and storage stability of the frozen confection without correspondingly increasing the viscosity of the liquid mix.

5. The frozen confection mix as set forth in Claim 4 wherein:

(a) said emulsifier is present on said stabilizer in an amount equal to about 30% by weight of said stabilizer.

6. The frozen confection mix as set forth in Claim 4 wherein:

(a) said monoglycerides are molecularly distilled.

7. The frozen confection mix as set forth in Claim 4 wherein:

(a) said coated stabilizer is contained in the mix in an amount equal to about 0.2% by weight.

8. The frozen confection mix as set forth in Claim 4 wherein:

(a) said coated stabilizer is contained in the mix in a range of about 0.15% to about 0.2% by weight.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1948 Landers 99136 X 3/ 1964 Knightly et a1. 99-136 US. Cl. X.R. 426302, 350

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 845 a 224 Dated CBObGT Z9 1974 nventofl) John R. Moneymaker et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and, that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading to the printed specification, lines 7 and 8, I

' "Continuation of abandoned application Ser. No. 743,008,

July 8, 1968." should read Continuation of Ser. No. 743,008 July 8, 1968, Pat. No. 3,845,223 Column 3, lines 45 and 46, "cooled" should read coded Column 7, in Table IX, under "Variable" and adjacent "5-A", the illegible word shoulc read treated Signed and sealed this 11th day of February 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

. v C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of- Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks FORM PO-1050 (10-69) UsCOMM-DC 6o376-P U.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: o 

1. IN THE PRODUCTION OF A FROZEN CONFECTION, CONTAINING BUTTER-FAT, MILK FOLIDS NON-FAT, SUGAR SOLIDS, STABILIZER, EMULASIFIER AND WATER, IMPROVING THE SMOOTHNESS, TEXTURE, BODY AND STORAGE STABILITY THEREOF WITHOUT CORRESPONDINGLY INCREASING THE VISCOSITY OF THE LIQUID MIX PREDECESSOR OF SAID CONFECTION COMPRISING: (A) COATING STABILIZING GUM SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF FUAR GUM, LOCUST BEAN GUM, SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE AND MIXTURES THEREOF WITH A MIXTURE OF ESSENTIALLY FULLY SATURATED MONOGLYCERIDES AND SORBITAN ESTER EMULSIFER, SAID SORBITANT ESTER EMULSIFIER, SAID BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OR POLYOXYETHYLENE (20) SORBITANT TRISERATE AND POLYOXYETHYLENE (20) SORBITANT MONOOLEATE AND MIXTURES THEREOF, THE RATIO OF MONOGLYCERIDES TO SORBITAN ESTER EMULSIFIER BEING BETWEEN ABOUT 10 TO 1 AND 1 TO 1 BY WEIGHT, THE MIXTURE BEING COATED ON THE GUM IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO BETWEEN ABOUT 15% TO 50% BY WEIGHT OF THE GUM, AND (B) ADDING THE COATED GUM TO THE LIQUID MIX IN AN AMOUNT EFFECTIVE TO PRODUCE SAID IMPROVEMENTS. 